Keeping seniors without internet access informed

Our oldest seniors, who lived through World War II and the Great Depression, may be the only ones alive who have experienced challenges anything like what we’re seeing now, as Dutchess County and the nation adapt to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.

We at the Office for the Aging (OFA) want you to know this: that the safety of Dutchess County’s seniors, caregivers, Office for the Aging staff and volunteers is of the highest importance. We’re in continuing contact with the office of County Executive Marc Molinaro, monitoring the COVID-19 situation as it affects the county. We’re adapting as needed to each day’s new realities.

For now, the Office for the Aging’s headquarters at 114 Delafield St. in the City of Poughkeepsie remains open during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — but call us at 845-486-2555 before coming by. We are trying to minimize in-person visits, using phone or email contact instead. Our email address for general inquiries is ofa@dutchessny.gov. Many of our own staff are working remotely whenever it is possible to do so.

OFA staff and volunteers are taking all necessary sanitary precautions, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with additional relevant recommendations from state and county government.

Our eight Senior Friendship Centers remain closed to the public. We recognize this can leave seniors without vital social connections, and are doing everything in our power to continue keeping seniors socially connected while remaining physically distanced.

Many seniors without internet access are adapting and getting online, often for the first time in their lives. This is a time when up-to-date local and national information on the outbreak and our response to it is essential. It’s information that seniors who remain offline will miss. Those of you who are connected to a senior who’s offline can help them make the transition. Many local internet service providers are making low-cost service options available, especially for new customers.

In the meantime, information for both those who need help and those who wish to offer help is available by contacting the new “Dutchess Responds” community, available by calling 845-486-3555 or by clicking on “Dutchess Responds” at www.dutchessny.gov.

 

Todd N. Tancredi is director of the Dutchess County Office for the Aging. Golden Living is prepared by the OFA in Poughkeepsie. It can be reached at 845-486-2555, ofa@dutchessny.gov or www.dutchessny.gov/aging.

Related Articles Around the Web
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Troutbeck to host ‘rewilding’ talk with environmental leaders

Troutbeck to host ‘rewilding’ talk with environmental leaders

AMENIA — The concept of “rewilding” the environment will be the focus of a discussion at Troutbeck in Amenia on Saturday, Nov. 8, featuring environmentalist Ben Goldsmith and Dr. Joshua R. Ginsberg, president of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. The program begins at 3 p.m.

Admission is free, but registration is requested. Troutbeck encourages attendees to arrive early for lunch or stay afterward for dinner in its dining room.

Keep ReadingShow less
environment and conservation

Route 44 to be reduced to one lane of traffic for water leak repair in Millerton

Route 44 to be reduced to one lane of traffic for water leak repair in Millerton

Water from the damaged pipe has bubbled up to the surface of Route 44 near Park Avenue in Millerton on Monday, Nov. 3. Water department crews are expected to repair the leak between 5 p.m. and midnight.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — Drivers passing through Millerton should expect delays on Main Street/Route 44 around Park Avenue as a Water Department crew works to repair a leak under the westbound lane.

Interim Superintendent of Public Works Joe Olenik said the work will begin around 5 p.m. tonight, Nov. 3, and he expects repairs to be finished by midnight. “There’s concrete under that, so it’s going to take a little longer,” Olenik said, pointing to a picture of the puddle that has accumulated on Route 44 because of the leak. “It’s not just blacktop and dirt.”

Keep ReadingShow less
traffic

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition of Millerton’s fire-damaged highway and water building begins

Demolition crews from BELFOR Property Restoration began demolishing the fire-ravaged Water and Highway Department building in the Village of Millerton on Monday, Oct. 27

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The long-awaited demolition of Millerton’s Highway and Water Department building began Monday, Oct. 27, marking a major milestone in the village’s recovery from the February fire that destroyed the facility.

The demolition, handled by BELFOR Property Restoration, is now underway. Eddie Collins Park, located next to the site, remains open to the public, though visitors are asked to steer clear of the demolition area.

Keep ReadingShow less
water department

Keane Stud developers present environmental impact analysis

Keane Stud developers present environmental impact analysis

A preliminary draft of an impact analysis study for a Keane Stud subdivision application drew residents to a Planning Board meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22.

Photo by leila Hawken

AMENIA — Residents had the opportunity on Wednesday, Oct. 22, to weigh in on the proposed Keane Stud subdivision, a plan that would divide roughly 605 acres into 27 mostly residential lots, during a meeting of the Amenia Planning Board.

The session was part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act process, following the board’s decision that a Draft Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared to evaluate potential environmental and scenic impacts from the project.

Keep ReadingShow less
planning board